A St Albans guide has done royally well by achieving an internationally recognised award over three years.

Emily Hale was presented with the Queen’s Guide Award by assistant chief guide Emma Guthrie at the House of Commons.

To achieve the award, the 21-year-old took on a series of challenges, covering areas like social action, voluntary work and travel.

Fewer than 150 young women receive the award each year, which must be achieved before they turn 26.

Emily took just over three years to finish these challenges, which included working at the first Wellies and Wristbands festival, the annual festival for guides.

At the festival she helped coach drivers with parking and worked with the stage management team.

Emily said: “Having achieved an award which can be recognised by people around the world as something to be proud of is wonderful.”

A former guide, endurance athlete, and record holder for riding 5,000 miles across Australia and being the first person to run across Africa, Emma Timmis, was in attendance to give an inspirational talk.

She said: “It was a real honour to speak at the Queen’s Guide Awards and to hear about the amazing achievements accomplished by these inspiring young women.

“I congratulate them all for achieving the highest award possible in guiding and their commitment to succeed. They should be extremely proud of themselves.

“I hope that they will continue to have many more adventures in the future and as I do, learn more about myself and the world around me with every new journey taken.”

Emily was presented her award on June 16.